Regional: “Despite attractive revenues and stable demand, a high level of diversity and fragmentation along with increasing prices pressures is creating pressures within the market for packaged wastewater treatment plants,” according to Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Suchitra Padmanabham.
Europe generates nearly 75% of overall market revenues followed by the Middle East and Africa with 20% and 6%, respectively. The future demand for packaged plants in Europe remains uncertain, because treatment capacity in Germany is expected to be met by the end of 2006. To thrive in these conditions, equipment manufacturers need to focus on geographical expansion in addition to technological innovation.
The emergent Middle East market offers great promise due to significant municipal, commercial and industrial demand. For more information, visit www.environment.frost.com.
UK: The Federal Capital Development Authority of Nigeria awarded a US$ 103-million contract to the UK consultancy Biwater Plc for the construction of the Lower Usuma Dam Water Treatment Plant Phases Three and Four in Abuja. The facility will produce enough water for an expanding population and be capable of supplying 20,000 m3 water per hour. The plant will be completed within two years.
Saudi Arabia: The Amiantit Group secured contracts in the GCC totaling US$ 211 million for the first half of 2005 to supply various types of pipes for industrial and infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Yemen. The demand for ductile iron pipes is rising, particularly in the UAE, given the need to replace pipes manufactured with asbestos cement, a substance that is banned internationally. SADIP, located in the city of Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia, is the largest ductile iron pipe factory in the Middle East and is a member of the Amiantit Group.
Switzerland: George Fischer Piping Systems signed a Framework Agreement with Yorkshire Water on 25 July 2005 to supply UK utilities’ contractors, working on behalf of Yorkshire Water, with their polyethylene (PE) electrofusion and spigot fittings.
All the PE electrofusion and spigot fittings for this major contract, which will run for three years with an option to be extended for a further two, will be manufactured at George Fischer’s Schaffhausen facility in Switzerland, and supplied by George Fischer Sales Limited in Coventry, UK.
UK: Expamet, a leading producer of security fences held its inaugural conference on “Security Issues for the Water Industry” at its Crime Prevention Centre of Excellence in Hartlepool, UK. Speakers included representatives from the UK Loss Prevention Certification Board, DEFRA, Chair of Water UK Emergency Planning Group and TPS Consult.
Presentation and discussion topics on emergency planning and protection of critical water industry assets were made to an audience of security managers from water companies and counter terrorism advisors from police forces. For information presented at the Expamet event, visit the website: www.expandedmetalfencing.com.
